Best Knife Brand? Benchmade, Buck, Zero Tolerance, Spyderco, Cold Steel, Kershaw, SOG, CRKT, Ontario
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- čas přidán 5. 02. 2022
- 15 Knife Brands: Benchmade, Zero Tolerance, Spyderco Para 3, Cold Steel, Kershaw Link, Buck, Spyderco Tenacious, Civivi, SOG, CRKT Endorser, CJRB, Ontario, KA-BAR, Opinel, Smith & Wesson. Folding Knives compared for initial sharpness, blade lock release pressure, corrosion resistance, and blade tip durability. Knives were then sharpened using the same sharpening system, then compared for blade edge durability. I purchased all of the every day carry (EDC) knives to ensure unbiased test reviews. So, thank you for supporting the channel!
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➡ Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order):
Smith & Wesson: amzn.to/3AXx96u
Opinel: amzn.to/3L8QXbP
KA-BAR: amzn.to/3rC9WUF
Ontario: amzn.to/3AWfVXi
CJRB: amzn.to/3uqRccl
CKRT Endorser: amzn.to/3AYR05c
SOG: amzn.to/3GvAATb
CIVIVI: amzn.to/332huGG
Spyderco Tenacious: amzn.to/3J1FmcM
Buck: amzn.to/34AbsgK
Kershaw Link: amzn.to/3sk9F7S
Cold Steel: amzn.to/3HwrkiS
Splyderco Para 3: amzn.to/3rCaolP
Zero Tolerance: amzn.to/3B3bYjI
Benchmade: amzn.to/32Y9w16
Videography Equipment:
Sony DSC-RX10 III Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera: amzn.to/2YdXvPw
Canon 70D Camera: amzn.to/31b5Gy0
Azden Microphone: amzn.to/34d3DLE
Go Pro Bundle: amzn.to/3Ca0ZVN
This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC - Jak na to + styl
Should there be a round 2 video? If so, please help me select more knives. As always, thank you for the video ideas and for the all of the positive feedback!
If you do a round 2, I'd like to see a less expensive Benchmade, a CRKT that is actually made in the USA (as opposed to one of their imports), and one of Gerber's offerings.
What sharpener did you use ?
Morakniv the $8 one ?
Gerber
I think so! I'd like to see the see the Kershaw Crown/Crown 2 tested. Think they're discontinued but I'm sure you could find one. Best budget knife I've used. And the CRKT Fossil is also amazing for the price point
Let’s just take a minute to appreciate this man he uses his own money to buy all the products to give us honest reviews
Thank you very much!!
@Shlomo Shekelstein I've been subscribed since there were under 2500 subscribers. I can tell you that the quality of his tests have maintained the same level and attention to detail since day 1 and he wasn't always making money on his videos and Patreon that he was at the beginning. And his testing is worth whatever he's making per video.
Lol and since CZcams is his job. He gets to write off all these tools/knives/etc on his taxes. Talk about a win-win. Get paid for views, get write off on taxes, and get to keep awesome tools that every guy wants
@@sgtleobella I miss all his old lawn mower videos lol
Absolutely
My grandpa had his buck 110 for his whole life from the time he was a small teen to the time he passed away on his dairy farm in his 80s. A great low cost, american-made, and dependable knife.
Thanks for sharing.
Yeah!, old school thinking creates too much sentimental memories and should remain with the old.....but make room for modern technology! Enjoy the latest gadgets while you still have the chance, because how will you know if it will suit your taste until you try it out! Right?!?.......
If it's good enough Longmire, it's good enough for me.
@@doroteotimtim8854 I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic, but "while you still have the chance?" Huh? The modern style of knives will be available for years to come. They're not going anywhere, and most of us who carry classics have used them, and even own them as well. The classics have held their own for damn good reason, and are still offered next to Buck and friends' more modern options. Fixed blades are a "thing of the past" but my kitchen is full of them, and my pack has one in it too. Buck 110 is the only daily carry I've had that really holds up well to the abuse I put these things through. It's not a screwdriver, and as long as you don't use it as one, it'll last lifetimes. My more modern knives haven't really held up as well, save for the really pricey ones. Too many screws to loosen and locking mechanisms that wear out too quickly.
@@doroteotimtim8854i bet you used that same logic with dsting other men too
Anecdotally, in the early ‘70s while in the Navy, most of us that worked in the engine room had Buck knives like the one in your test. The test specimen, straight out of the box, showed considerable resistance to opening. We worked on our knives a bit to “loosen” them up thereby allowing us to open them single handed using our pinky to depress the lock and a flick of the wrist to open the blade. In fact, if a couple of mate were approaching each other in a passageway or on deck, we would stop, and as our knives always hung from our belt, would see who could “outdraw” the other Matt Dillon style (well, we were young back then…). Of course, arthritis and a small degree of maturity keeps me from attempting it these days though I still have the knife. Thanks for the trip down memory lane…and for your great AND useful videos!
Thanks and you are welcome!
Man you just brought back some memories. Gave me goose bumps. Lol. I just sent my old buck knife back to the factory. I had mine so fast that it was faster than a switch blade. And twice as sharp. That old knife saved my ass a few times out on west pac. I don't care what those test say. When you have a well adjusted buck in a salty sheath. Your golden.
Sad to see them leave San Diego. Many old sailors carried Buck 110 before the new tactical folders became popular.
Didn't yall stab each other by accident?
A Buck 110 followed me through Vietnam, and was still on duty25 years later - when it was stolen. I still miss that old Buck. Lots of memories tied up in that beast. (My daily carry now? A Gerber Paul knife. At 76 my needs for a heavy duty tool like the buck simply no longer exist.)
I really appreciate your content bud, many of us laborers have limited funds for tools and your vids allow us to purchase quality reliable tools without breaking the bank. Thank you.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Well said and point taken, LarkinPaul
So true 👍
Same reason I watch, great way for those of us in the trades to determine what's worth our hard earned money.
I think legit content like this helps to push companies into being more honest about their products.
As a knife collector and user my whole form age 10 to age 72 I appreciate how much time and effort went into making this great video and all of our video's. Thank you so much for making these great video's for us.
Thanks and you are welcome!
@@ProjectFarm i do think there needs to be more mention of the steels that the blades are made of. that is something that can affect the decision on buying. also think it is important since there are options in some of those makes like the spyderco knives offering the same design with different steels.
Thank's so much for your opinion's. Greeting's from Germany ; )
As a random guy in the comments, thanks for your comment.
@@ProjectFarmyou still have a lot to learn 😉
A couple things to note about a round 2: 1. Type of steel used by each knife. Different types of steel have differing qualities that affect things like hardness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. 2. Blade movement can be highly variable from the factory. Many knives allow you to loosen the bolt on the hinge to loosen/tighten as desired. A little but of lightweight lubricant and "break-in" period will also significantly change the swing of the blade over time.
Thanks for the feedback.
Absolutely, I agree
I've spent considerable time using Kershaw, SOG, Benchmade and Buck as my EDC and I've liked them all for different reasons. My go-to now is Buck. Even though they don't have the absolute best performance, they are sold, well built knives that just so happen to be made in the town I live in, so they are readily available and I get the satisfaction of supporting not just Made in the USA, but people in my community.
Thanks for sharing.
Buck has made good EDC blades for a long time. I prefer their classics like the 110, 112, 119, 120, and similar and don't like the light polymer handle designs mostly (have seen a couple of new versions of the 110 and 112 with micarta handles and higher end steel that look very cool). Everyone has a preference, and Buck does a better HT on most knives than some more expensive companies, so definitely worth considering, even if I'd only probably buy a classic.
@@krislong9338 You can't go wrong with a classic 110.
I purchased a Buck but then immediately asked for a refund when I found out it was entirely made in China. Some digging revealed it had some QC issues where the blade would shatter / break from very light use. It's very misleading as made in USA was used in the description despite the knife not having anything to do with the USA.
I considered getting one of their actual made in USA knives, but it left a sour taste.
@@skywardsoul1178 That's a bummer, but I fully understand. They do indeed have an inferior line that is produced in China. It's probably biggest knock on the brand as it isn't always obvious which are which.
Thank you for this video! No clickbait, no misinformation, no bullshit, just straight to the point!
Thank you very much!!
13:00 the tests after sharpening just show how consistent that wicked edge sharper is at putting an edge on a blade, impressive!
I think you mean "Very Impressive!" 😂
LOL the real champion of this test!
Thanks!
The Wicked Edge system is pretty much acknowledged in the knife community as the best you can get. There's many that get close, but not as fast (one side at a time). Many home-production makers use them - Holt Bladeworks for instance - Joe set up a CNC in his garage and they're one of the most successful custom makers out there right now. If you got the money, this is the way to go.
It should at its price$$$$$$$$
the s&w knife was a lifesaver some years back and worked with some sticky fingered individuals. I learned fast that any tool that I took my eyes off of would go missing fast so it was nice to have a pocket knife that worked reasonably well and also not a big loss when I inevitably would leave it on a counter while I went to the bathroom and came back to see it had vanished.
Thanks for sharing.
You forgot the cry test. Try losing them and see which one draws more tears.
Benchmade for sure!😢
Todd, I was in the shop today using the brand new Ryobi Oscillating tool you reviewed recently. I can’t thank you enough for the thorough testing and help for us making informed decisions! It made short work of my tasks. As always, thank you!
Awesome! This means a lot to me and keeps me motivated to continue!!
Todd who’s Todd?
@@Grasshopper.80 the guy in the videos you silly goose!
Will add to this that I just picked up the channel lock diagonal cutters you recently reviewed and recommended. Work like a charm. I have a folder of your graphs on my phone! Keeps me straight.
Lol my name is Todd to
I've had a pair of Opinel knives for going on 40 years now. They're meant for cutting food on a picnic. They do an excellent job on salami & cheese.
I have the Opinel mushroom knife. Its got a horse hair brush on the end, and a hawksbill blade. I'm not big on that blade shape, due to sharpening difficulty. But I figure I only cut thru morels and such, it shouldn't dull too bad. I have a round jewel stick to keep it sharp, it's just a bit more challenging than a typical blade shape on a stone.
The one thing that's always worries me is the side to side play. The big question is - when will the knife break given a rotational force (like when prying a clam open).
Also, where should we send more ideas?
I got an opi demo model on a school trip in the 80s.
12 inch blade.
Like a folding machete;-)
@projectfarm should test the knives after 10 passes on cheese and salami.
They typically come out of the box with a burr on them. A light strop makes them razor sharp.
I carried the buck 110 all through my time in the service. Being a brass bolster means it wears just slightly and the blade gets easier and easier to open. I could open it with one hand and flip it open faster then a friends switchblade. The lock being tough was a positive knowing you can abuse it and it still wouldn't close on your hand. Still got mine and using it (1976)
Navy?
I carried a Buck 110 in high school. It was too big to put in my pocket so I put the sheath on my belt. That was 1976-1978. Kids can't carry knives in school today. It's part of the dumbed down wussification of America. Knives aren't dangerous, but psychos drugged out of their minds on SSRIs are.
@@briand-jfrommasonmi4449 yep!
truly is an owners knife mate love mine as well
🧢
I bought a benchmade 10 years ago and it had never let me down. Love my knife, always useful to have.
Thanks for sharing.
My grandfather had the same buck you tested here and handed it down to me after years of tough use. It only needed light sharpening and has held and edge amazing. May be stiff, but absolutely bomb proof. I’ll keep that thing forever. High quality knife!
Great tests as well! Love the unbiased ratings!
Thanks so much!
It's cheap but designed to last.
I have had and used Buck knives for over 40 years. I have one now that I bought in 1981 that still looks good and functions perfectly. I bought a new Buck pocket knife last fall and carefully looked it over and tested it at that time, and so far my indications are that the quality is just as good as it ever was. Buck FTW!
I love my Buck and still made in the usa
Besides sentimental value,or being a collector.. buck would never get my money....not being negative.....but I've broken way too many.....
K Ives that have actually stood up to years of hard use for me has been spyderco,benchmade,zt,strider...
You confirmed in just under 19 minutes what took me years to compile. Very nice work. Consistently getting the sharpness around 125 on all of the blades after sharpening is a testament to your sharpening skill, too.
Thanks!
@@ProjectFarm Yes, it was noticeable how all of the blades were consistently sharp in the 115-125 range after sharpening - probably within the margin of error.
Definitely a testament to your skill!
He uses the top rated knife sharpener.
@@jandal8905 margin of error? For what?
@@CadillacDriver Normal variance of PF sharpening a knife give a person two exactly equal knives to sharpen and you will naturally get a slightly different sharpness.
How am I just now seeing this? This is the greatest channel I've ever come across. Where have you been my whole life?
Thanks and welcome!
I find myself coming back to and rewatching various episodes of your show all the time.
Thank You for your quality content and attention to detail on these videos. The viewers appreciate you! 🇺🇸
Thanks so much!
We carry most of these at the store I work at. It was nice seeing a bunch of brands put through the same tests. It will help when people ask these types of questions.
Thanks for sharing!
About 4 or 5 years ago I remember that AutoZone was selling Smith & Wesson knives for about$6. They came in a blister pack, with minimal packaging. I bought some as gifts. The next year the packaging was changed and the the knives were 14$.
Kids have to pay off those advertising degrees
Was it tanto style and half serrated?
@@handy1014 ya they even had 2 styles to choose from as I recall.
You are to be commended for the great lengths you go to make the tests fair. Not just on these knives, but for every other product you test. Thank you!
I appreciate that! Thanks!
I grandfather had an opinel for 54 years and he Is still using It it's very quality made
Nice!
As an engineer I have to commend you on your scientific approach and repeatability. A ton or effort and thought went into the testing and reporting of the results. Thanks for some A1 content.
You are welcome!
How do you know if someone is a engineer?.. They will always tell you in their first few words.
I was just about to comment that but you beat me to it haha
You are no engineer.
@@CadillacDriver as a Street Engineer I can confirm.
I was an electrician most of my life, and I carried the same Buck Knife with me every day for about 20 years. At one point, I bought a new knife for my brother's birthday, and it was only then I noticed the blade was about 3/8" thinner due to sharpening all those years. This knife went through it all and was still in good condition when I stopped being an electrician. I poinded on it with hammers, reamed EMT and rigid pipe and even carried it on my 100's of ocean fishing adventures. After watching this video and seeing how it stacked up, I would personally buy the Buck over every other knife tested. It stood the test of time and abuse that I doubt the others would have.
I think Buck might reblade that knife for you.
@@9999plato unfortunately, it has been more than 20 years since I used it every day and haven't seen it for years now. I would never reblade it though if it turns up. Part of the vintage quality was the thin blade.
I agree with the Buck choice too. I like the fact that it has a real hard to release lock because it cant be accidentally unlocked. The drop test here wasnt a real world test because of the tube that made it fall in a way it doesnt do naturally. The weight of the Buck makes them fall handle first, saving any blade damage usually. Its a nice heavy duty feeling knife that can take the abuse of everyday use and abuse. This was still a good video, but it wasnt about finding the best knife to use everyday for work.
@@warrenmichael918 Definitely agree. I even said in another comment that having to push hard on the button and/or to close it would be considered by many of us to be a FEATURE not A BUG! I"m with you guys on this. I would take a Buck over any of the others because they have decades upon decades of real world trial and error to have perfected the folding pocket knife over generations. Will some of these companies even be here in another 10 years? I know Buck will be!
@@warrenmichael918 fully agree !
Probably THE most useful review of a spectrum of knives at different price points.
Thanks so much 🙏 & awesome work 😊
Your enthusiasm when you are torture testing things is amazing! I've just started collecting knifes and was amazed finding a knife test by you
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
Oh man, I'm a knife collector and knife collectors are one argumentative, opinionated, clannish and knowledgeable group of folks. I haven't even started the video and I'm already impressed at your bravery. (:-) BTW, notice how I did not mention my favorite knifemaker?
You don't have to when you only buy the best knives. No one company could provide the best knife for every occupation or occasion.
@@jonanderson5137 true, and treated reasonably well they all perform quite well.
lol Thanks for watching!
I’m a full on knife nut, good video!
For a round 2 I would say a focus on the different steels. There are SO MANY, and a side by side for edge retention, toughness, rust resistance, and ease of sharpening would be great. Look at the spyderco Mule, it’s a design that comes in a wide range for exactly this reason
I support this idea
One take away from this video is the steel doesn't matter as much as it should. Why would a 420hc buck 110 outperfom an s30v benchmade in the edge durability comparison if the super steel was superior to the old standby?
@@garmbeliblis hello! Edge geometry and heat treat matter, a lot more than the steel itself does (edit:to a certain degree, 7cr17mov is garbage amd you cant change my mind) . Buck does an amazing job at heat treating, and the 940 has a much thinner grind since its more and EDC folder than outdoor use. What I'd like to see is side by side tests of the same knife in a wide variety of steels. The only one I know of that does this is the Spyderco Mule. Its hard to take out all the variables, but its about as close as it comes.
Was watching the edge retention video wondering what steel the Para 3 was. (CPM S45VN from the link)
M4 would rust like crazy, but LC200N won't show a smudge.
Yes I support
Case brand knives made in Bradford, PA USA for over 100 years. I have some of my grandfathers that are about 60 years old and are still great. Use them all the time.
Impressive!
Thank you for all the time and effort you put in to performing these methodical, comprehensive tests.
You are welcome!
I've got the Benchmade and I love it. I've also used and loved Opinels for years-one of their selling points is that they're exceptionally easy to sharpen. It's also very easy to adjust. Plus, that handle takes a lot of character over the years in a way that a synthetic one never will.
I love my Opinel. I got mine with the stainless blade and olive wood handles. Is it the best knife in my collection? No. But it is small, reliable, and always looks nice. I get a lot of compliments.
I love my Opinel and I'm not surprised at the rust or drop tests, it being Carbon Steel.
I have tried several brands on this list and Benchmade is my favorite (expensive drop point model in their lineup from 5ish years ago). The opening and especially closing is the best (cylinder on the blade & unique pull back in handle for easy one hand closing operation). Hated the hole in Spyderco vs force to open; either had to do a thumb + wrist flick or two hands. Zero Tolerance with it's opening backside quick flick (seen on a several in this test) was returned immediately as a safety hazard; this tab would partially deploy the blade just taking it out of my front pocket. A few near misses in five minutes and treated it as a NCIS gimmick (Gibbs knife is Zero Tolerance model).
Side note: Most of these brands have several models; mostly blade shape and type of steel. The types of steel was a large price difference when I got mine. Sharpness longevity vs brittleness supposedly (haven't chipped mine since I use a screw driver on screws).
Another great Opinel benefit is that it's not an intrusive knife, you can easily pull this out in public or restaurant or whatever without anyone thinking negatively like some modern 'tactical' knives. I love my Benchmade but I bring my Opinel to the office.
@@soronir3526 exactly what I was thinking. Had it been the stainless version the results would probably have been drastically different
My old man has a Buck knife that he has had since I was a little kid. he used to use that knife for everything, its still going strong after 40+ years.
Sidenote: I was surprised not to see Gerber or Leatherman in the testing.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Ya need Gerber
the blade sharpness is very disappointing
Great test! I have that same Zerot Tolerance.. mine wasn't too sharp out the box either but is easy to sharpen and is the best knife I've ever had. The Rat 2, opinel, kershaw, buck, syderco, cold steel, and KaBar I've also got and they all work well at different things.
It would have been cool to see Boker, Case, Victorinox(because everyone has one) and Gerber. Great test though!
Schrade and Microtech as well!
I’ve always liked buck and kershaw for hunting knives because they always seemed to hold a great edge. (Fixed blades)
I also love my spyderco endura 4 ffg for carry as it razor sharp and their warranty/customer service is excellent. Looks like your results weren’t too far off from what i have found over the years! Thanks a again for the excellent content!
You are welcome!
It’s crazy how detailed your reviews are. It definitely helps in making a choice in buying a knife!
Thanks! Glad to hear!
Glad to see that Spyderco still makes a nice folder. I've had my Military knife for over 20 years and it still performs well. I've even sent it to Spyderco in Golden Co. and they'll professional sharpen and clean it and send it back to you no charge. Great company.
Indeed! Greetings from a fellow ‘Spydey’ fan! 👍
i bought some spyderco, but try never touse them, here in europe they get expensive
@@eseseis7251 They hold up man! Use away!
My PM2 took my favorite knife spot after I added some titanium lotus scales. I have more expensive knives but I don't carry them anymore
@@eseseis7251 why purchase a tool not to use it....
I always appreciate the consistent quality of your methods and content. Unlike other channels, you’ve never resorted to clickbait or selling out to in-video placements. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, will do!
I ❤ Spyderco the most of all my knives, followed closely by my Benchmades. Never had to send a Spyderco in, but Benchmades service is EXCELLENT. My last round I sent my Grizzly Ridge back for a broken Omega, they of course replaced the springs, then sharpened and tuned it, and also replaced a scale that was starting to show natural wear and tear. I didn't at all ask for or expect that. My Spydercos have never had anything break, come in various metals, and you get a huge Military in Jade G10 with M4 steel that's just perfection... I gotta go now, I need to play with my knives.
Thanks for sharing.
I really appreciate your videos they have saved me a lot of money and who knows how many headaches! Thanks
I have a handful of the knives tested. The real bragging point of the Cold Steel is the durability especially the Triad Lock stopping the blade from closing by force (and potentially on the user's fingers). I think a really rough destruction test would show big differences in brands and styles but the downside is of course it would generally ruin the knives. Benchmade's Axis lock and Spyderco's compression lock should be pretty strong as well. Lockbacks such as the Buck 110 and KA-Bar should be stronger than liner locks such as the Ontario and most of the others. A key point of each knife is the steel used and whether or not it's a stainless steel vs carbon. Especially since some of these models like the Ontario come in different steels. Good video.
Speaking of locking mechanisms, that's definitely something I'd like to have seen tested: what it takes to make them fail
@@InfernosReaper I think it was Blade HQ who did a destruction test of some of the locking mechanisms. They were all surprisingly strong but liner locks were weaker than lock backs. The liner lock would either bend in or bend out, the lockback usually held until the handle of the knife completely broke apart. Cold Steel's modified lockback the Triad lock is probably the strongest common one and I carry a Code 4 or an American Lawman (I also have a few AD10s but they're a little big for EDC. People comment). I think Kershaw has a lock that was crazy strong one and Spyderco's compression lock was really strong. I think Benchmade's Axis lock is good, definitely really fun to operate, but I've seen it slip in some tests or the spring came out.
@@InfernosReaper Wasn't Kershaw it was CRKT, the Deadbolt lock.
Plus the liner locks put your fingers in the path of the blade. I strongly dislike them. My daily carry is a 30-year-old Benchmade (a low-end not fancy model) that has been indestructible. To my shame, I abuse it pretty badly but it never complains.
Yeah, the Ontario results had me scratching my head until I realized he was testing the Aus-8 version instead of the D2. My own experience of Buck 110 vs Ontario R2D2 is quite different than his here, the RAT holds an edge better than any of my Bucks and was also better in terms of factory edges.
In my opinion, a knife's blade locking mechanism releasing with little pressure is actually a bad thing.
Thanks for the feedback
Agreed. It definitely depends on your use case for knives, but as an everyday carry for mundane use I would rather it take a good bit of force to open as long as it's still possible one handed.
Agreed the TriAd lock by Cold Steel isn’t the easiest to open but it’s the strongest locking mechanism on the market.
I was curious about opening and closing of the locking mechanisms a few hundred times if that would break or stop working on some. But that would have been a long test.
I was thinking the same but then i think the amount of pressure to break it is really what's important.
I love the no nonsense approach to your presentation of information.
Thanks!
Thanks for performing this thorough test! I was impressed how some of the less expensive knives held up compared to the more expensive knives.
Thank you!
I love my Opinels. They haven't been super sharp out of the box, but they sharpen really easily and maintain a good edge. I prefer the carbon steel to the stainless, but the stainless is still pretty good.
Got few stainless Opinels. They are made out of 12c27 Sandvik, so it's not hard at all to resharpen, it just takes more time than carbon ones, but edge retention is better which is the reason I went with Stainless Steel. Super cheap and great classic looking knife, just what I like.
Love both their stainless and the carbon. Both cut like laser beams after being sharpened. I usually force patina my carbon steels. Sandvik (their stainless) is one of the best value steels on the market. They're good for light use, but their slicing ability is amazing.
I am a knife snob but totally agree. The opinel's blade geometry is fantastic and they can be some of the sharpest and best cutting knives out there. They are unmatched for food use as well.
I keep an Opinel in my backpack due to its low cost and low weight. I don't use it that often but it has never let me down.
@@1980JPA I accidentally "blued" my 40-year-old Opinel when it was new by peeling an apple. I liked the look so I never polished it back. The handle is a bit rough because way back when I had a Jack Russell and she was a puppy, she chewed the handle a bit (the knife was closed).
As I knife collector, GREAT selection of knives at every price point. Genuinely impressed.
Thank you!
Yeah I’m not sure if he’s a knife guy but if he isn’t he definitely got some input from someone who is “in the know”.
I also appreciate the variety of knives tested.
@@appalachiangunman9589 He didn't use knife lingo in the way I would expect a knife guy to. He did get a fairly good assortment of the usual suspects though.
All your videos are outstanding! The thing I love the most is your cheesy grin while you read the advertising literature for each product. It never gets old!
Thanks!
Purchased a number of S&W knives for my boys. They screws always come loose. I carried an opinel for years in my backpack as a spare knife and used to cook with. Always easy to sharpen and works great to slice or pear. I have three Benchmades and they have all been great knives. One is a slicer blade and the other is a heavier blade. The third model is made to kill someone that my wife won. It has never been taken out side. The best advice I can give on a knife is buy a knife that is designed to do what you want. If your going to do heavy use like hiking and hunting get something with a thicker blade. If you just want to cut cord or cut your apple up get a thin blade.
This was an expensive test. Thank you. The Buck really surprised me given their choice of steel, but their heat treatment process is legendary and now I know why.
I was also surprised by how well that 420 steel held up. I have been happy with my Buck knives, including cheap everyday Bantam knives with the 420 steel and a 110 Slim Pro with S30V steel. Good knives for the price, good warranty, and all the ones I have are made right next door in Idaho
Right? That result made me happy for the old fart.
Paul bos definitely did a good job with the heat treatment. My buck quick fire 288 has been my go to beater knife for almost a year and blew Leathermans 420 steel right out of the water. More proof that you don't need some high end steel to get the job done
It's his job he gets to write all this stuff off on taxes.
@Hunter Holder some of my first knives were Buck knives , had a Leatherman multi tool also. Buck's blade is too thick and even when hollow ground it was hard to keep a very sharp edge.
I received a very similar Benchmade knife as a gift 10 years ago , I can't say enough how much I like it. I'm a believer.
This is absolutely one of the best channels on CZcams. I really appreciate your efforts.
Wow, thank you!
In my book, this is the best review of knives on youtube because aside from the sharpness test, he clearly state where it is made in. Subbed
Thanks! Thanks for watching and subscribing!
Excellent and comprehensive content. Thank you!
I've had my Benchmade 940 for about a year now and it's hands down the best knife I've ever carried. Holds an edge better than any other knife I've ever owned and it never disappoints any time I have it in my hand
Not to mention it just feels great in the hand and fits nicely in the pocket or on the clip without feeling bulky
Great to hear!
I've got a 940 as well, the design is just about perfect for my edc usage... blade design is perfect and handles well.
I don't have a 940, but have handled them and decided that they were a little too small to comfortably use in my hands.
I've been carrying a Benchmade Griptillian since 2005, and other than an occasional accidental trip through the clothes washer or sharpening the blade a few times over the years, it's just been used near daily the whole time.
No complaints other than that the blade black finish is slowly wearing off.
I got two, the aluminum handle one and the carbon fiber handle.
Have used a Benchmade for 10- 15 years, overall great knife. Light, stays sharp, can open with one hand, and still looks great. Occasionally the blade will need removed and internals cleaned/oiled and reinstalled.
Thank you for the feedback!
I have 4 different Benchmade knives. Free sharpening by Benchmade about every 4 months, but then I use the hell out of them.
My dad has carried his Benchmade about 16 year's and still counting
I am so impressed with some of the cheap knives, specifically the buck, SOG and Smith and Wesson. The were very sharp and held their edges pretty well! Especially considering that they were cutting wood.
Thanks for the feedback.
I still carry the SOG I bought in 1986. They no longer make the exact model I have (Air Sog), and most are no longer made in Seki, Japan, but it's nice to see they are still have excellent quality at affordable prices.
FYI: SOG completely sold out last year to the holding company that bought cold steel. They are not a knife company ANYMORE.
Not expecting much from them in future.
Yes I was so surprised as well about that.
Smith and wesson isn't very good, sog and buck are certainly good however
Best review I've seen yet. Earned a subscription from me
I carry a 30-year-old AFCK Benchmade. Except for the scratches, you would think it was brand new.
Awesome! That's a long life!
What’s not discussed in the video is the actual differences in knife steels, their uses, pros, and cons. For instance the Opinel uses a high carbon steel, which is easy to sharpen, holds an edge pretty well, but is more brittle so while snap rather than bend, or break the tip of dropped. There’s really four main factors with knife steels: corrosion resistance, edge retention, ease of sharpening, and toughness. With most steels, if you want to be higher in one of those, you tend to decrease in at least one other category. There are more modern super steels that can achieve pretty high marks in all four (M4, T-Rex, etc…).
yeah pf apparently doesnt know much about knives and what makes one "good" or "bad"
His testing needs more refinement for sure cause i wouldn't recommend the smith&wesson or knife branded like that cause usually they're wholesale garbage that they just pay a premade company to stamp their name on it and usually those knives fail in a short period of time i.e stripped screws and or just fall apart over time.
@Horde334 - Smith & Wesson knives are made by Taylor Brands (which makes knives for Smith & Wesson, and under the Schrade name). Smith & Wesson purchased Taylor Brands some years ago. So they technically manufacture their own knives. They aren’t top grade custom collector level knives, like a Dozier, but they’re not bottom of the barrel wholesale garbage either. They’re just cheap, really functional, knives. Most of them are not gonna just fall apart on you. For the price they’re not bad knives, especially if you’re the kind that uses/abuses/loses their knives all the time, and doesn’t want to invest in a $300+ folder. Personally I’d step up to something like a Civivi instead for something cheap but good, but that’s just me.
I look at knives like Smith & Wesson, as a wear/dispose type item. Wear it out, throw it out. On the other hand my custom Dozier is with me for life, as are others like custom Russel’s, Reeves, etc…
The effort you put into this is insane. So much information..
Thanks!
I impulse-bought a $14 DeWalt pocketknife (yes, *that* DeWalt) off the shelf several years back, and have used it almost daily since then. Haven't sharpened it once and it retains a very nice edge. I open and close it one-handed and keep it in my pocket 99% of the time. I'm very happy with it and thus would never spend hundreds of dollars on a single knife.
Thanks for sharing.
bullshit...even expensive one need sharpening after a while (not even a years lol)
Since the Buck knife performed well in every category not related to weight, you may want to include one of their lighter models in your next test, like the slim select 110 or 112. Thanks for the great video!
You are welcome! Thanks for the video idea.
Excellent test Todd! I'm a knife enthusiast. Results were genuinely surprising. I was impressed with how some cheaper knives performed better than more expensive knives in certain tests. Goes to show that you don't need something fancy to cut something. I like the range of knives you selected. There are literally millions of different models, but you picked a good spread I think.
Which are affiliated w slave-state dictatorships knocking off quality products and jobs so we can save a few pennies while our kids wear chains? I know Benchmade is US.. since that is all I care about feel free to included origin if it means enriching enemies (who themselves openly promise your destruction).
@@BoycottChinaa take your meds, Francis
I agree, great tests. I want to see some more middle-priced knives on the next one maybe. I love the shape of the Benchmade but sheesh the price!
@@Omniseed TRAITORS FAMILES KICKED IN ORGAN HARVESTER just as quickly as those they betrayed, and all sharing sounds of the shrieks of their children in the distance..
@@BoycottChinaa What do you think we do to 'traitors'
Excellent video, thank you for all the time you put into this!
Thanks and you are welcome!
This man has some of the best controlled tests that I have seen. Very educational thank you.
Thanks and you are welcome!
I’ve been carrying and heavily using a Benchmade crooked river for a couple years now, and for ~$200 I’m blown away by this knife
I’ve used it for everything from gutting deer to scraping corrosion off of battery terminals, and everything in between. It often doubles as a screwdriver. It still looks like the day I took it out of the box. It takes and holds an edge well, and I can see almost no wear on the axis lock surfaces
After my last Buck wore out and shut on my hand, I decided to spend a few bucks on a good knife and I don’t regret my decision at all
Do you have a benchmade with a different steal? The one in the test uses a steal you can get at a much cheaper price point from Benchmade and the expense is really in the handle.
Benchmade is anti gun
@@ouifh4o2ir37 it’s just s30v
You can get the same steel* for less money, but that probably means that the steel* has been worked with less care and is lower quality. This is just my experience, ymmv
@@Getitstraightyo maybe they are, maybe they aren’t. I highly doubt every employee is, and they’re still an American company. Would it be better if I bought a knife from a company in a country that is our country’s enemy?
Regardless, the $200 I spent on one of their knives wouldn’t be missed. I’m not on their board of directors
@@Getitstraightyo proof ?
I used to only carry 110’s. Ive got several. Through years of farm use and abuse, I’ve broken a couple in half and broken more tips than I can remember. I decided to try some other brands, SOG was my first attempt but it just didn’t feel good to use and was too small for my hand. I tried a CRKT and loved it but the blade wasn’t tempered right and wouldn’t hold an edge. I tried Spyder and it worked fine but eventually i got tired of its size also. I finally broke down and got a Benchmade 940. I’ve had for a year, sharpened it once, and I don’t think I’ll ever be wanting again. Great video
Thank you!
I’ll agree. Higher end Benchmade knives are some of the better modern tactical style knives. There is that hard to define feeling of a quality product that is recognizable when you have it in hand. Benchmade are pretty expensive for every day carry knives, but for frequently used tools it may be worth spending more to get quality.
@@wtmayhew I work in the construction industry and Benchmades are pretty commonly carried. They're almost too nice I think, I often cringe at people cutting stuff against metal pipes or concrete. They seem to hold up well. I carry a Cold Steel Code 4 which is a little cheaper than most Benchmades, around $75 but still try to take good care of it. Very strong knife and the steel is as good or better than most Benchmades (S35VN vs S30V)
@@DL-ij7tf You must work in a different construction world than I do, I've never seen a Benchmade in the field. I don't think they're worth the price for construction work. I've carried Leatherman for almost 20 years and don't see any reason to change.
@@DL-ij7tf Thank you for the added information. Cold Steel probably have one of the safest blade locks too - at least by my opinion that is. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to review these knives. Very uselful!!
You are welcome! Glad to hear!
I can appreciate all the work you did in testing all these knives. I will take the Benchmade everyday all day in all these knife brands. I do own 5 Benchmade knives all ready. The other knife brand that I hold up to the benchmade is the Hogue Deka folding knife.
Superb testing as always! A time consuming and expensive testing video to make. A++
Thank you very much!!
The Opinel is meant to cut cheese and baget. It does that very well
Thanks for the feedback.
Opinel also comes in different metals. For different situations
Wow that was awesome, thanks for all that hard work that was an intense test
Thanks!
Thank you for this awesome, unbiased and informative video.
Love your vids. Keep it up Sir.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Bought the el cheapo Smith and Wesson for when I was on a ship in the Navy. I knew it would get torn up so I got the cheap one. That knife served me extremely well. Held up great even with salt water contamination. I treated it very rough and it's still around today, opening amazon boxes. Sharpened it once. Still sharp enough to shave my arm hairs.
Don't bother buying a Benchmade. Just get the Smith and Wesson. My ex girlfriend had a Benchmade knife tattoo and she ended up cheating on me. That's all you need to know.
Sharpened it once? Hahahaha. Yeah OK, pal.
@@CadillacDriver why would I make it up? I'm not doing anything that requires precision, just opening boxes and cutting line. Just because you wasted your money don't blame it on me.
I think that bottom paragraph reasoning is all I would need to friend.
You wouldn't believe how many purchases I've made based on your tests.
Thank you for all you do.
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
Shady companies trying to scam people probably hate this guy. He definitely doesn't get paid enough for these videos tho. The quality of the info here is top notch 👍
Thanks!
Another well thought-out great VDO - Thank you!
You are welcome!
I have the same Buck knife and I really like it. It's a heavy knife and takes effort to use, but it is always sharp. I admit it is a bit heavy for a pocket knife. Knives are interesting because everybody likes something different. One of my favorite knives was only $12 when I bought it.
Thanks for the feedback.
I love those old buck knives too.
It's "reassuringly" heavy. I have the 112 version. Seriously though, they do now make lighter versions with the same blade...
I have a US Border Patrol edition of the Buck 110 folder. I would not call it a pocket knife due to its size and the fact that it came with a sheath. But its a great knife!
I know there are “better” knives but there’s something about those old classic bucks that just make them some of my favorite knives yes they’re heavy yes they’re sometimes hard to open or close especially with one hand but the ones I’ve had or been given have always been solid and reliable, and they’ll always be either in my pocket or in my inventory somewhere
The Buck is down right impressive! Thanks to you and anyone else behind the scene that take the time to make such great honest unbiased videos reviews, they are a lot of work I’m sure. There’s a lot of integrity to stay honest and not bought out, it also holds manufacturers responsible like we the consumers should in return for making them all very wealthy.
Thanks!
Very true and well said ! He’s helped me make several purchases !
Buck doers a fantastic job on their heat treatment of their blades. Too heavy to carry for me but a classic knife. Everyone had one in the 70s and early 80s. Buck used to have open house tours and sales before Thanksgiving of the facilities and sell the blems and seconds heavily discounted back when they were by San Diego. I'm not sure if they continued the tradition. I dropped $300 on that tour.They moved because the Democrats pushed energy costs so high that it became hostile to run their business in California. The Governor was recalled over that issue.
Thanks again for a great analysis! You’ve really helped me figure out which knife to get. Are you an engineer? Your ability to determine the facts, isolate the variables, and present your findings in a way that is relatable and easy to understand could be taught in a masters class at MIT!
After carrying around my Para 3 for a while, I never leave the house without it. It has quickly become my favorite pocket knife, and I even bought another just to keep in my tool box! Can't go wrong picking one up!
Thanks for the feedback.
Outstanding review as usual! I've had that exact Buck knife since I was 10 years old and have cleaned dozens of deer and elk with it. My dad has had one since the 80s and it has seen wildly more abuse. It holds its edge outstandingly well in my experience and it looks like it did in your tests as well! Highly recommend it for anyone who hunts.
My father gave me the same one with my initials engraved in it as my graduation gift. Still my daily carry never fails
I had a Buck 110 as a teenager, and to be honest I have no idea what happened to it, but it was my favorite knife ever.
Was it the best knife I ever owned? Undoubtedly not, but there is something very satisfying about the weight and heft of it, and it just feels good in the hand.
mine cut up a lot of kills great for hunting. I really like the Mora knives the best and they don't break the bank either.
D'oh! I just remembered what happened to it. I stupidly snapped the blade while trying to pry something open with it.
Buck does a great job heat treating. Every buck knife I've ever had, even the cheaper ones with chinese steel can take a razor sharp edge and keep it.
I have to say, this is the most productive content on CZcams. The most relevant info in the least amount of time and delivered with clarity along with logical and fair analysis/ comparison. Great channel. GREAT channel. 👍🏻😎👍🏻
Thanks!
This guy puts Consumer Reports to shame.
ALMOST NONE OF THAT WAS RELEVANT TO WHAT MAKES A KNIFE GOOD OR NOT. jesus fuck, why is critical thinking so hard for people?
@@TheDragorin - So what makes a knife good or not in your opinion? In my opinion the number one factor is probably how well a knife holds an edge (though I am far from a "knife expert").
@@TheDragorin, don’t just bitch man, PREACH!! It’s easy to discount the observations of others, but make the argument productive and educate us. What makes a good knife?? 👍🏻😎👍🏻
I bought a buck 263 a couple months ago and am just blown away by the quality. Absolutely beautiful knife with still a perfectly in shape sharp blade. Not even 1% loose.
To put in perspective every s&w knife i've bought has knicks on the edge and is wobbly after a couple months of use.
Thanks for sharing.
That was insanely thorough great work keep it up
Thanks, will do!
Absolutely mind boggling my man! I can't imagine how many hours, days, weeks of work you had put in to make this video 👍🏾
Thanks for watching!
agreed bro
Awesome video. As an amateur knife maker I was just into this test. I loved every second. Please do a round two. I hope people don't hound you about how some steels do better with a tooth edge vs other steels do with a polished edge. I know you had to make a standard and believe you made the right call on the sharpening and edge angle. A round 2 would be very much appreciated. I believe this could be one of your highest watched series. Maybe second to your oil testing vids. Those were fantastic. Great job again. I have watched everyone of your videos and look forward to the next one every Sunday. 👍👊
Yeah there's a lot of misinformation about sharpening. Even with "polished edges" at super low micron finishes you want a true up and down sharpening pattern to create even microscopic bite on the edge. Many people make the mistake (even on guided systems) of sliding the lengthwise in a cutting motion which can help get an even edge but erasing that vertical micro scratch decreases the ultimate sharpness. There's a lot to sharpening even high carbide super steels. Check out Michael Christy's channel to see some real sharpening wisdom.
I can't wait either
Best knife review I have seen. No BS, just easy to understand results.
Thank you for sharing!
Awesome job with your knife selection. It seem like you picked a most popular from all of the price categories. As I'm currently looking for an EDC knife, it was awesome to see many of the models that I was looking at represented on this list!
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
Great test!
I own two Spydercos and one Buck alongside many other knives, but the cheap old 'disposable' -(currently 8 year old)Opinel is the one that is always with me while others gather dust in a drawer. Purely individual preference, but I guess the best knife is the one that you have on you when you need it.
Thanks! Good Point!
@@benisrood and generally I don't need to pry open a door or baton through logs with my pocket knife. If I want something heavy duty and more or less indestructible I'll take a fixed blade over a folder any day.
Also, no one flinches or raises an an eyebrow when I take out the Opinel at the dining table because the steak knife is just not cutting it. Excuse the pun.
The way I think about it, the best knife, maybe, is one you actually put through the abuse. I have some nice-ish knives, but I mostly use folding utility knives because I can cut against concrete or anything else if I want to.
Integrity in when you care more for the hard truth than the easy lie....That is Project Farm.
Thank you! Glad you're here!
One of the best videos i have seen in last time, thank you 4 everything
Wow, thank you!
Helped me narrow my choices down to select the SOG. Thanks buddy! Great video
You are welcome!
Huge fan of Spyderco here and their Golden, CO factory is local to me. I have a Para 3 and several others from the brand and have zero complaints. Also really easy to disassemble to re-lube the mechanism for super smooth operation. The Spyderco finger hole is also amazing for ease of opening. Glad to see the S30V blade hold up well in testing!
Can't beat made in USA knives with those ergonomics and maintanence features. I won't buy anything else.
I bought 2 tenacious for $12 ea definitely best knives for that price I own.
I have 8 spyderco knives in my collection and they're my favorite. K390 stretch 2 ,rex 45 para 3, m4 para3 for edge retention lc200n for corrosion resistance. Waiting for my native 5 with CPM magnacut now. Spydercos are my favorite.
Thanks for the feedback.
@@ProjectFarm thank you sir for all of the in depth testing you do. No one else is coming close to wat u do! Keep em coming!
Dude..... You deserve to have a rating that companies can pay put on their product if they pass your impartial tests. This is incredibly thorough and I would buy a product if it had a finalist or #1 product certified by you. I mean this seriously. If I had a company that made drill bits or something I'd be reaching out to you right now about aquiring you as head of product testing/consistency.
Thanks!
This is the 3rd time I've watched this video. I can't recall many other YT videos that I've watch more than once. ProjectFarm is just that good!!!
Thanks!
Dude, you are THE MAN. You use basic scientific principles to repeat conditions that are practical in premise & application in all of your comparisons.
Thanks!
I would be forever grateful for the same test but with kitchen/chef's knives.
Alterations to the test could look like this:
Bamboo, plastic, or other common cutting board material instead of super hard wood for the drag dull test.
A hinged blade impact test onto a cutting board to simulate chopping attempting to adjust for knife weight (because in real use, I think people are chopping with similar force regardless of knife weight) so weigh the resting weight on the cutting board with a scale underneath when the flat part of the knife edge is in full contact with the cutting board and then add weights until they're all about equal, replace the scale with something solid of the same height drop the knives from 90° perhaps (just throwing something out there) thirty or so times.
Additional information useful for purchase might be knuckle clearance and amount of time required to get them from ~400 sharpness level to ~200(assuming the tester itself impacts the sharpness even if marginally, you could test on different parts of the blade as you went marking with a sharpie to keep track) and it would probably make sense to use just one grit of sharpening stone so you could compare number of passes more easily.
Maximum sharpness that stays after very very easy cuts. E.g. Go up to something crazy like a 10k grit stone (I would say and/or a strop but strop strokes are far harder to standardize) and then cut (again just throwing a number out there) 20 cucumber slices moving the cucumber onto the knife to avoid cutting board interference.
Weight required to slice (chopping straight down is easier to standardize though) all the way through a cucumber at a standard sharpness say ~200 (because blade thickness, width, polish, and profile/grind can affect the drag)
Because kitchen knives are generally heavier than folding knives, I don't think the drop test is necessary. That's just not the kind of abuse you expect them to survive.
I'm increasing my Patreon donation today. Thank you again so much for your videos.
Pretty sure there is already test with kitchen knives on the channel
@@rombick just looked, he did sharpeners not knives.
I absolutely second this as I have struggled to find a good cooking knife that isn't crazy expensive, and just to see the differences from expensive knives to cheap ones. I dont think he will do such a video however because most of his target audience dont use kitchen stuff an / or wouldnt bee as interested. I would love to see it though
He did that 2 years ago.
I second that request.
Video idea : testing out rotors / brake pads lineup from local stores like autozone and o Riley’s. Testing them out in certain conditions like daily use and hard braking or seeing which heats up less, less rust overtime, low dusting etc. From there if there’s a lot of interest about that video, test out brands like brembo and power stop , 2 known brands for brakes. As always, thank you for taking your time testing out products for us. I appreciate the effort and time you put into making these videos!
Yea, add ceramic to that. I tried out some akebono brake pads after everyone says there amazing and they had worse performance then oem pads. They were dangerous with how their braking performance was. I took them off and replace with normal pads and was much better.
@@FishFind3000 Im not sure but isnt the ceramic pads intended to be used in a more agressive way like racing where the brakes have time to heat up and be more effective?
@@almaefogo Cold race pads barely brake, they rather just squeal. Many people make these mistakes of thinking race oriented parts are better for their daily cars that will never see the track. In the case of racing pads, the consumer will see the inefficiency sooner than anything bad happens. As for semi-slick tyres, lowering and stiffening coilovers, rotary/boxer engines and so on, the problems show later or at specific situations and when they do, they usually cost a lot of money, the entire car or even a life.
@@FishFind3000 Ha are you a Scotty Kilmer viewer? He’s always going on about those Akebono pads. Best to stick to buying them from the dealer imo.
@@zeroyon4562 I don't know why but I can't stand that guy
Now this is how a test review is done! Thanks and great job!!
Thanks and you are welcome!
I love how creative you have to be to come up with measurable tests.
Thanks!